Risks Being Taken On Crime

The Government proved last week that they are not only out of touch on crime and justice, but that they are refusing to listen to the concerns of the police and communities like ours.

A debate in the House of Commons provided an opportunity to debate the big risks the Government are taking on crime and the significant cuts they are imposing to police budgets.

The debate, the fourth in four months, saw MPs echo the concerns of Chief Constables and experts over Government plans to cut 12,000 police officers, cut police powers, introduce loopholes to child protection law, restrict the use of DNA and introduce American-style elected Police Commissioners.

Chief Constables have been put in an impossible position by the Government’s 20 per cent cut to central government funding to the police. The Association of Chief Police Officers has estimated 12,000 police officers will be lost as a result.

The Government have made a choice to put a political timetable for deficit reduction ahead of keeping the public safe. They are fighting the police rather than fighting crime. I fear it is areas like Rother Valley that will pay the price.